1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.
Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 On the willows in that land,
we hung up our harps.
3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.
Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy:
"Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
4 How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget its skill.
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you,
if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem,
who said, "Raze it!
Raze it even to its foundation!"
8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,
he will be happy who repays you,
as you have done to us.
9 Happy shall he be,
who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
1 By die riviere van Babel, daar het ons gesit, ook geween as ons aan Sion dink.
2 Aan die wilgerbome wat daarin is, het ons ons siters opgehang.
3 Want daar het hulle wat ons as gevangenes weggevoer het, van ons die woorde van 'n lied gevra en hulle wat ons verdruk het, vreugde, deur te sê: Sing vir ons 'n Sionslied.
4 Hoe sou ons die lied van die HERE kan sing in 'n vreemde land?
5 As ek jou vergeet, o Jerusalem, laat my regterhand dan homself vergeet!
6 Laat my tong kleef aan my verhemelte as ek aan jou nie dink nie, as ek Jerusalem nie verhef bo my hoogste vreugde nie.
7 HERE, bring in herinnering vir die kinders van Edom die dag van Jerusalem, hulle wat gesê het: Breek weg, breek weg, tot op die grond met hom!
8 o Dogter van Babel, jy verwoeste, gelukkig is hy wat jou sal vergeld wat jy ons aangedoen het!
9 Gelukkig is hy wat jou kinders gryp en verpletter teen die rots!